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Increase in University Students’ Dissatisfaction

Nearly one in three first year students at UK universities have stated that their courses do not represent good value for money.

While most students are happy with their course, increased tuition fees have proved to be a huge factor in dissatisfaction – according to researchers Which? and the Higher Education Policy institute.

The report was established from the results of an extensive survey of over 17,000 students, with 29% feeling that their courses were not good value for money, as opposed to only 16% when the study was conducted in 2006 (when fees were only £1,000 per year).

The study also highlights big variations in teaching times, with some students getting twice the amount as those doing the same subject elsewhere.

Despite the increase in tuition fees (£1,000 to up to £9,000 per year) and a common belief that this would increase teaching time, students in England are taught for just 18 minutes more per week than they were in 2006.

But students appear to be working harder, with the amount of average amount of private study per week climbing from 12 hours 48 minutes in 2006 to 14 hours and eight minutes in 2013.

Furthermore, 65% of scholars believe that they gained more from being tutored in small groups of up to five students which allows them more one-to-one interaction time with lecturers.

32% said they may have chosen an alternative course after learning more about the academic experience, with 21% saying that university literature is vague and 9% referring to it as misleading.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “With an increasingly competitive higher education sector, and soaring tuition fees, it has never been more important for prospective students to get as much information as possible to help them make the right choice.

“There must be an investigation into the huge variations in the academic experience that we have revealed, and more transparency to ensure students can get the information they need.”

There is now an increased amount of competition from online university networks – such as Online Business School – where tuition is not only more cost-effective, but it also provides a higher amount of flexibility than normal, campus- based degrees.

The Online Business School offers engaging web based instruction modules that allow students to learn what they want, when they want, and also provides full access to a unique selection of interactive tools and support.

Their system is the perfect fit for modern-day student lifestyles, offering flexible timetables and more freedom for people to plan around their studies.